Artificial Intelligence and the Myth of Sisyphus

Leading global companies are integrating artificial intelligence to achieve a variety of strategic objectives: personalizing the customer experience, automating internal processes, running predictive analytics, optimizing advertising campaigns, strengthening fraud detection, streamlining supply chains, and analyzing financial information to support strategic decisions.

In this context, on May 6, the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) released the results of the National Survey on the Availability and Use of Information Technologies in Households (ENDUTIH) in Mexico. The data reveal significant challenges in the area of ​​basic digital literacy. For example, nearly 17% of the population does not use the internet, and among these, approximately 10% lack basic knowledge of its use. This demonstrates that mere access to the internet does not guarantee the proficiency necessary to fully reap its benefits, underscoring the urgency of implementing training programs aimed at strengthening essential digital skills.

The Survey also indicates that, while smartphones are the most widely used internet access, only 36% of the population uses computers, which limits the performance of more complex and productive tasks. Furthermore, connectivity is concentrated on basic activities, such as sending messages and accessing social media, while only 35.8% use advanced digital services. This pattern reveals that, despite having a connection, a lack of training and distrust of the digital environment prevent them from fully leveraging the internet's potential.

Furthermore, ENDUNITH also highlights notable differences by region and age. Urban areas show greater technological proficiency, while rural areas and older adults still lag behind in developing digital skills. These disparities require differentiated strategies that address the specific needs of each group and geographic area.

Therefore, it is not surprising that the most frequent uses of artificial intelligence are geared toward: obtaining emotional support and finding a purpose in life; organizing household routines; and entertainment and fun. To a lesser extent, the technology is used to enhance creativity and idea generation, which is closely linked to improvements in productivity and the acquisition of knowledge and skills.

In the 2025-2030 National Development Plan, the Mexican government uses the word "intelligence" 13 times in a 213-page document. Of these mentions, 11 are linked to public security strategies, one to fiscal issues, and only one reference addresses artificial intelligence and innovation. Surprisingly, it is never mentioned in any instance regarding educational initiatives, modern economic policies, or mechanisms to combat corruption in public service and improve efficiency.

Similarly, when reviewing other governing documents, such as Plan Mexico, no references are found to strategies that promote the use of artificial intelligence to boost productivity and strengthen the capabilities of Mexicans and their businesses. Perhaps there are some disjointed efforts with uncertain progress, but none of them are related to educational or economic policy, but rather to the regulation of platforms and business operations that could have detrimental effects on society and markets.

We are once again experiencing the Myth of Sisyphus: after a arduous effort to push a huge boulder to the top, just when it seemed we would reach the summit, the boulder begins to roll relentlessly downhill. This happened to us during the industrialization of the last century, during the globalization strategies of the 1980s, and during the dot-com boom two decades ago. Today, artificial intelligence places us in a similar cycle, as we still lack a strategy to close the digital divide that would allow us to generate social well-being and sustained economic growth.